Download Surface and Groundwater Monitoring

Lambton Facility
Surface and Groundwater Monitoring
Groundwater Monitoring
The goal of the monitoring program is to provide for the
early detection of changes in groundwater quality at the
site.
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Monitoring wells have been installed in two
hydraulically active water bearing zones: near the
surface (called “Active Aquitard”); and where the
clay overburden contacts the bedrock (called
“Interface Aquifer”).
•
Monitoring involves the measurement of water
levels (to calculate the hydraulic gradient) and the
collection of water samples for analysis.
•
Groundwater samples are analyzed for a full suite of
compounds by an independent laboratory at
detection limits well below the Ministry of
Environment’s Ontario Drinking Water Standards.
•
A chemical database and control charts (called
“Concentration vs. time plots”) are maintained for
four indicators (chloride, potassium, sulphate,
sodium) to track short-term events and long-term
trends.
•
Shallow groundwater in the Active Aquitard flows
from high ground surface points (e.g., perimeter
berms) to low surface points (e.g., excavations).
•
The shallow groundwater sampled from wells onsite
is more mineralized than that represented by the
three shallow wells located off-site. The shallow
groundwater onsite is characterized by slightly
elevated sodium (salt) concentrations compared to
the chemistry of the off-site wells. It has been
concluded that the shallow groundwater quality
onsite exhibits the accumulated effects of site
development (i.e., waste placement and temporary
storage, use of deicing salts on roadways, calcium
chloride for dust suppression and effects of earth
moving activities, berm construction, etc.).
Surface Water Monitoring
The surface water management system directs all storm
water via a series of ditches and reservoirs to a water
treatment plant located within the main processing area
of the Lambton Facility. Once treated, the surface water
(referred to as treated effluent) is discharged to an
equalization pond.
Following analysis, it is discharged to a ditch along
Telfer Road. During discharge of the treated surface
water, samples are collected and analyzed on a daily
basis for the list of parameters including pH, total
phenols, solvent extractables, total suspended solids and
toxicity (Microtox). The samples collected during 2007
produced no indication of toxicity in any test.
4090 Telfer Road • Corunna, Ontario N0N 1G0 • 519.864.1021 • www.cleanharbors.com/lambton